NWS says strong tornado hit western Arkansas

DENNING, Ark. (AP) — Officials say a strong tornado that touched down in western Arkansas has injured at least several people.

Steve Piltz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tulsa, said a strong tornado touched down southwest of the Altus-Denning area shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Franklin County's emergency services deputy coordinator Rick Covert said several people were hurt as the tornado and strong winds damaged homes. The extent of their injuries wasn't immediately known.

Covert says the storms also tore through a fire station near the Etna-Oak Bend area, ripping off part of the roof and blowing out several doors.

He says crews were trying to make it past downed power lines and trees to reach communities that been hit hardest by the storms.

Earlier version:

DENNING, Ark. (AP) — Emergency officials in western Arkansas say severe weather and a possible tornado injured several people near the Denning area.

Franklin County's emergency services deputy coordinator Rick Covert said early Wednesday that several people were hurt after severe weather pounded the region. The extent of their injuries or how they were hurt wasn't immediately known.

Covert says the storms also tore through a fire station near the Etna and Oak Bend area, ripping off part of the roof and causing heavy damage to the doors.

He says crews are trying to make it past downed power lines and trees to reach communities that been hit hardest by the storms.

Earlier Tuesday evening, high-power storms left at least seven people dead in Kansas and Oklahoma.